College Planning & Career Readiness A Guide for Students and Families College Advising Team Sabrina Blair, Tara Gildea, Christian Heide

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1 College Planning & Career Readiness A Guide for Students and Families College Advising Team Sabrina Blair, Tara Gildea, Christian Heide Empowering students for success in a global world German International School Boston, September 2014

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE The College Process for 9 th Grade... 1 The College Process for 10th Grade... 2 The College Process for 11th Grade... 4 The College Process for 12th Grade... 7 II. TRANSCRIPT AND CURRICULUM... 9 Overview of Curricular Requirements... 9 University of Massachusetts Subject Requirements... 9 III. STANDARDIZED TESTS...10 Test Descriptions When to Take the Tests...11 Test Preparation Testing Deadlines...12 IV. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES...13 V. APPLYING TO COLLEGE...14 Teacher Recommendations College Advisor Recommendation 14 Essays College Supplements Deadlines for College Applications College Visits VI. FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS Financial Aid Forms to Complete VII. RESOURCES... 21

3 College preparation for 9 th graders (Freshmen) I. COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE The primary advice for 9th grade is to keep your grades up and be active outside of the classroom. The list below outlines these points in more detail. 1. Meet your College Advisor The College Advisors will explain the steps necessary to apply to college in the US and Europe. 2. Focus on Grades Grades in your freshman year are important because they are factored into your overall Grade Point Average (GPA). 3. Get Help if You Need It If you are struggling in a subject, don't ignore the issue. Ask your teachers for extra help. 4. Participate in Extracurricular Activities By 9th grade you should focus on a couple of extracurricular activities. Colleges are looking for students with varied interests and evidence of leadership potential. 5. Read a Lot Reading is important for all grades. The more you read, the stronger your verbal, writing and critical thinking abilities will be. 6. Make the most of Summer Opportunities Summer is a great time to have meaningful experiences that will be rewarding for you and impressive on your college application. Travel, community service, volunteerism, sports or music camp, and employment are all good options. 1

4 College preparation for 10 th graders (Sophomores) Your college applications are still a couple of years off when you start 10th grade, but you need to keep your long-term goals in mind. Keep your grades up and gain depth in your extracurricular activities. 1. Continue to Make an Effort Your success in challenging academic courses provides college admission representatives with the best evidence of your ability to succeed in college. Work on self-discipline, self-reflection, and time management in an effort to earn the highest grades possible. 2. Put Effort Into Extracurricular Activities By the time you apply to colleges, you should be able to demonstrate depth and leadership in an extracurricular area. A long but shallow list of extracurricular involvement is not as meaningful as a clear and dedicated interest in one or two particular areas. Think about how your extracurricular activities can help to enrich a college community. 3. Take the PSAT You should take the PSAT in October of 10th grade, and again in 11th grade. The practice on the PSAT can help you figure out what type of preparation you will need before SAT time in your junior and senior years. Scores from the October PSAT are sent to our school in early December; colleges do not see PSAT scores. Be sure to take advantage of the College Board s My College QuickStart, an online program that gives personalized feedback based on your PSAT results. If you are planning on taking the ACT instead of, or in addition to, the SAT, ask your College Advisor about preparation for the ACT. 4. Take SAT Subject Test(s), if Appropriate You're more likely to take these exams in your junior and senior years, but it is appropriate for native speakers of a language to take the foreign language subject test in the 10 th grade. We recommend the Languages with Listening rather than the Languages Reading Only test. It is offered only once a year in November. Keep in mind that for highly selective colleges, you should not count your SAT Subject Test in German as one of your two SAT Subject Tests if you speak German at home; colleges prefer to see Subject Tests that reflect your academic achievement. However, you may be able to get college credit or advanced placement, so do take the German SAT subject test. 5. Visit Colleges and Browse the Web Your sophomore year is a good time to do some initial exploration of college options. If you find yourself near a campus, stop by and take the tour. Look online for college visit tips to get the most out of your time on campus. Many schools offer informative virtual tours on their websites. This preliminary research will help you make good decisions in your junior and senior years. Use the College Board search engine Big Future to help search for colleges and careers Begin a Scholarship Search Start looking at scholarship websites and literature to find out what might be available to you. 2

5 7. Attend College Fairs College fairs provide an opportunity to be exposed to many different colleges at one venue. Try to attend a College Fair held at a local high school in the fall. Check with your College Advisor or online to see when and where the NACAC College Fair is held each year 8. Keep Reading Remember that the more you read, the stronger your verbal, writing and critical thinking abilities will be. 9. Have a Summer Plan There's no formula for what defines a productive summer, but you should try to do something that leads to personal growth and valuable experiences. The options are many: volunteer work, a summer program at a local college, sports-related activities, or employment. Plan your summer so as to maximize your opportunities. 3

6 College preparation for 11 th graders (Juniors) In 11th grade, the college preparation process accelerates and you need to start paying careful attention to deadlines and application requirements. Realize that in 11th grade you don't need to choose exactly where to apply yet, but you do need to have a plan mapped out for achieving your broad educational goals. Use the College Board search engine Big Future to help search for colleges and careers Take the PSAT in October Colleges won't see your PSAT scores, but scoring very highly on the PSAT test can result in a NMSQT scholarship The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. It also gives you a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools. The PSAT will give you a good sense of your preparedness for the SAT. Take a look at some college profiles and see if your PSAT scores are in line with the SAT ranges listed for the schools you like. If not, you still have plenty of time to improve your test-taking skills. The results for the October PSAT will be mailed to our school in early December. 2. Keep Your Grades Up 11th grade is probably your most important year for earning strong grades in challenging courses. If you had a few marginal grades in 9th or 10th grade, improvement in 11th grade shows a college that you've learned how to be a stronger student. Many of your senior year grades come too late to play a significant role on your application, so junior year is essential. A drop in your grades in 11th grade shows a move in the wrong direction, and it will raise red flags for college admission representatives. Your Grade Point Average (GPA) at the end of junior year is sent to schools for Early Action, Early Decision and Regular Decision. Semester One grades will be sent at the end of January. 3. Assume a Leadership Role in an Extracurricular Activity Colleges like to see that you're involved in your community. Think about ways that you can contribute to your school and/or community. Colleges are looking for future leaders, not passive bystanders. 4. Take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests and/or ACT, and TOEFL, if appropriate The timeline for test taking will vary from student to student. Prepare a timeline with all the events in your life: family events, holidays, sports, exams, etc. Plot out a practical and efficient timeline for taking the standardized tests, (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, TOEFL). Keep track of test registration deadlines and test dates. You might consider taking the SAT as early as January of your junior year. You will have received your PSAT results back in early December. Depending on your schedule, plan to take the ACT in either February or April. You could then take either the SAT and/or the ACT exam again once before the summer. If you are not satisfied with your scores, you can spend some time in the summer building your skills before retaking the exam(s) in the fall. Most colleges Super Score your results; they consider only 4

7 your highest scores. Remember October/November is typically the last time for Early Decision students to take the SAT. Talk with your College Advisor to plan a test schedule which includes which tests to take and when. It is a good idea to take SAT Subject Tests in June of 10 th and 11 th grades. 5. Attend College Fairs Try to attend a College Fair held at a local high school in the fall. Check with your College Advisor or online to see when and where the NACAC College Fair is held each year Visit Colleges and Browse the Web During the second half of your junior year, begin creating the preliminary list of colleges to which you plan to apply. Take advantage of every opportunity to visit a college campus. Browse the web to learn more about different types of colleges. Read through the brochures. Try to figure out if your personality is better suited for a small college or a large university, or whether you would like to live in an urban or rural environment. 7. Draft a College List, Start Your Personal Essay, Request Letters of Recommendation Once you have some junior year grades and your PSAT scores, you'll be able to start predicting which colleges and universities will be reach, target and likely schools. Look over the college profiles to see average acceptance rates and SAT/ACT score ranges. For now, a list of 15 or 20 schools is a good starting point. You'll want to narrow down the list down to approximately nine schools before you begin applying in senior year. Meet with your College Advisor to get feedback and suggestions on your list. Look at the College Board s Big Future search engine to get ideas. The Common Application includes a search engine for colleges to help match your interests, ability, and preferences. Start your personal essay. The topics for the personal essay were updated in August 2014 so it is likely that these topics will remain for the next few years. The current essay topics are available on The Common Application website 1. Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? 4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. Request letters of recommendation from two teachers who have taught you in your core academic subjects (English, math, foreign language, social studies, or science). It is important to ask your teachers in the spring semester so that they can write the letter over the summer. Ideally, you should ask teachers who taught you in 11 th grade. 5

8 8. Have a Summer Plan Update your list of colleges to include reach, target, and likely schools. Explore the websites of the colleges that interest you to learn about admission requirements. Create an account with The Common Application after it becomes available online on August 1. Continue to work on the draft of your personal essay. 6

9 College preparation for 12 th graders (Seniors) Senior year is a busy and extremely important time in the college admissions process. This is your last chance to improve your ACT and SAT scores, and the fall of senior year is when you have to narrow down your college options to the schools to which you ll apply. You ll need to finish your college essays, reconfirm with your recommenders, and September Register for October or November SAT and SAT Subject Tests and/or the September or October ACT if you plan on taking them. Meet with your College Advisor to discuss your college list. Visit campuses and interview with college admission representatives. Create an account with The Common Application if the colleges you've selected use it. Pay particular attention to Early Decision, Early Action, and preferred application deadlines. Work on your college essays. Try to assume a leadership position in an extracurricular activity. Work to strengthen your academic record. Request letters of recommendation, if you have not yet done so. October Take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT as appropriate. Continue to research schools to narrow your list to roughly nine schools. Take advantage of college fairs and virtual tours. Complete your applications if you are applying Early Decision or Early Action. Make sure you've had your test scores sent to all colleges that require them. Research financial aid and scholarships. Do your parents' places of employment offer college scholarships for employee children? Work on your college essays. Get feedback from your College Advisor and English teacher. Request your high school transcript and check it for accuracy. Keep track of all application components and deadlines: applications test scores, letters of recommendation, and financial aid materials. An incomplete application could hurt your chances for admission. November Register for the December SAT or ACT, if appropriate. Take the November SAT, if appropriate. Put the final touches on your application essays. Keep your focus on your schoolwork; it's easy to be distracted when working on applications. Make sure you've submitted all components of your applications if you are applying to colleges with November deadlines for Early Decision or Early Action. Make sure you've had your test scores sent to all colleges that require them. 7

10 December January Complete applications for regular admissions. Make sure you've had your test scores sent to all colleges that require them. Confirm that your letters of recommendation have been sent. Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Financial Aid), available as of January 1. If you are accepted to a school through Early Decision, be sure to follow directions carefully. Submit required forms and notify the other schools of your decision. Continue to focus on your grades and extracurricular involvement. Continue to keep track of all deadlines and application components. Continue to research scholarships. Apply for scholarships well in advance of deadlines. February March If you submitted the FAFSA, you should receive the Student Aid Report (SAR). Carefully look it over for accuracy. Errors can cost you thousands of dollars. Contact colleges that didn't send you a confirmation receipt for your application. Don't put off applying to schools with rolling admissions or late deadlines; spaces can fill up. Keep your grades up. Colleges can revoke offers of admission if your grades go down senior year. Some acceptance letters may arrive. Compare financial aid offers and visit campus before making a decision. April Keep track of acceptances, rejections, and waitlists, and keep your College Advisor updated. If you have ruled out any colleges that accepted you, notify them. This is a courtesy to other applicants, and it will help the colleges manage their waitlists and extend the correct number of acceptance letters. Go to accepted student open houses, if possible. May June Most schools have a deposit deadline of May 1 st. Do not be late! Have your final transcripts sent to colleges. Send thank you letters to everyone who helped you in the application process. Let your mentors and recommenders know the results of your college search. Keep on top of procuring student loans. Notify your college if you receive any scholarships. Research whether your college grants academic credit or advanced placement for the Deutsche Internationale Abiturprüfung (DIAP). July - August after Senior Year Read all mailings from your college carefully. Important registration and housing material is often sent in the summer. Register for your classes as soon as possible. Classes often fill, and registration is usually on a firstcome, first-served basis. 8

11 II. TRANSCRIPT AND CURRICULUM Your high school transcript is the most important document that colleges review in the application process. Colleges expect applicants to pursue a challenging high school curriculum. Consult with your College Advisor, your teachers, and your parents as you choose courses that are right for you. Overview of Curricular Requirements Students are advised to review the admission requirements for individual colleges in which they have an interest. Course Requirements for entrance into University of Massachusetts Amherst Minimum subject matter requirements must be met (see chart below). The rigor of the curriculum is strongly considered. We appreciate applicants who take challenging courses, including honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if available. When assessing academic achievement, course grades as well as grade trends are important, including course selection and grades in relation to the desired major. A strong senior schedule helps show the applicant s commitment to higher education. If the high school provides a class rank, that is taken into consideration as well. English: 4 Mathematics (Algebra II minimum): 3 Natural Science (2 labs): 3 Social Science (one course in US history): 2 Foreign Language: 2 of same language Electives (from areas above, arts and humanities, or computer science): 2 Applicants to the College of Engineering, Isenberg School of Management, or the Computer Science major must have four math units (Algebra I & II, Geometry, and an advanced math course, such as Calculus or Trigonometry). Applicants to the College of Engineering must also have Chemistry and Physics. Note that these are the minimum requirements; courses taken that exceed these minimum requirements better prepare students for success at the college level and place the applicant in a stronger position for admission to the University of Massachusetts system. Requirements for Commonwealth Honors College at UMASS Amherst If you are entering UMass Amherst with an exemplary high school record that includes all of the following: minimum combined (critical reading & math) SAT-I score of 1300 (or ACT composite score of 29) or higher AND weighted high school GPA of "A-" or higher AND high school class rank in the top 10 percent, you will be considered for admission by the UMASS Amherst Admissions Office to join Commonwealth Honors College. There is no separate application process for first-year students entering the College. Students are notified of their selection to Commonwealth Honors College by the Undergraduate Admissions Office at the time of admission. 9

12 III. STANDARDIZED TESTS Most colleges consider standardized tests when evaluating your application; however, colleges place far more emphasis on the high school transcript. This is not to imply that test scores have no value in the process, but it does underscore that your course selection and grades are more important, and that the way you think, how you approach your studies, and how you choose to spend your time outside the classroom all contribute to the strength of your application. GISB is not a test site for any of the standardized tests except the PSAT. You will take the ACT, SAT, and Subject Tests at a location of your choosing when you register online. It is the student s responsibility to register for the tests and to send the test scores to colleges. Test Descriptions The PSAT: The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) measures the skills students have developed over time, including critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills, mirroring the areas tested on the SAT. The PSAT/NMSQT is an excellent preparation for the SAT. Students at GISB are advised to take the PSAT twice: in October of 10 tth grade and October of 11 th grade. PSAT scores are not sent to the colleges and do not factor in the college admission decision. Scores from the 11 th grade test are used to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Students sign up for the PSAT at GISB. The SAT: The SAT (formerly the SAT I and the SAT Reasoning Test) is a standardized assessment of the critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills students have developed over time. The SAT is offered seven times a year and consists of ten separately timed sections. It takes three hours and 45 minutes, with three sections in critical reading (70 minutes total); three sections in mathematics (70 minutes total), three sections in writing (60 minutes total), and one variable (unscored) section in critical reading, mathematics, or writing (25 minutes total). The test includes three kinds of questions: multiple choice, student-produced responses (mathematics only), and essay. Usually the SAT is not taken earlier than January of junior year in order to capitalize on as much of the English and math curriculum as possible, and to further develop critical thinking skills. Determine the best testing dates for you. It is the student s responsibility to register for the tests and to have the test scores sent to colleges. SAT Subject Tests (formerly the SAT II): Students take Subject Tests to demonstrate their mastery of specific subjects. Tests are offered in Literature, U.S. History, World History, Mathematics Level 1, Mathematics Level 2, Biology-Ecological or Biology Molecular (one test, but the student selects which track to take during the test itself), Chemistry, Physics, Chinese with Listening, French, French with Listening, German, German with Listening, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Japanese with Listening, Korean, Korean with Listening, Latin, Spanish, and Spanish with Listening. Most Subject Tests are offered six times a year and students can take one, two, or three tests on a single test date. Each Subject Test takes one hour and consists of multiple-choice questions, but some have unique features or formats. Subject Tests are machine-scored, using a scale of , the same as the SAT. Students may not take the SAT and the Subject Tests on the same day, so be sure to plan carefully with the College Advisor to determine test dates and college application deadlines. Colleges that require Subject Tests usually ask for two tests though some schools, like Georgetown University, recommend three. If you are thinking of 10

13 applying to engineering programs, you should plan on taking Math Level 2 and either Chemistry or Physics. Subject Tests should be taken upon completion of the course that best prepares students for a given test, as these tests are content-driven and not tied to a specific year in high school. It is the student s responsibility to register for the tests and to have the test scores sent to colleges. The ACT: The ACT assesses general educational development and specific subject knowledge. Offered six times a year, the ACT is a multiple-choice test that covers four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The ACT Plus Writing measures the same four areas plus has a section that measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. Students who choose to take the ACT in addition to or in lieu of the SAT should take the ACT Plus Writing. It is the student s responsibility to register for the tests and to have the test scores sent to colleges. It is important to know that many colleges no longer require standardized tests. For the most updated list of these colleges, visit AP Exams: AP (Advanced Placement) exams enable students to demonstrate their competence in a specific subject through three-hour AP exams held in May. Offered in some 30 subjects, these tests contain objective and written sections, and, in the case of foreign languages, a listening and speaking portion as well. These tests are scored on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest. Students with scores of 4 and 5 (in some cases 3) may be granted a higher course placement in college and/or some college credit, but credit is always awarded at the discretion of the college the student attends and according to that college s AP policy. AP exams were not designed for college admission purposes, although scores of 4 and 5 earned in the junior year can strengthen an applicant s file in terms of academic profile. GISB does not offer AP classes or AP exams; students at GISB who wish to take AP exams should take the exams at their local high schools. When to Take the Standardized Tests Sophomore Year: Sophomores should take the PSAT in October as practice. No other standardized tests are necessary, although they could consider taking the German with Listening Subject Test in November. Junior Year: Juniors should take the PSAT in October for additional practice and to try to qualify for the NMSQT, a national merit scholarship. They should then take the SAT at least once in January, March, May or June of the junior year and/or the ACT Plus Writing in February, April, or June. They can then take one of these exams for a second time in late spring of junior year. Look carefully at the Subject Test requirements from the colleges to which you apply and plan when to take these. Senior Year: If you are not satisfied with your junior year scores, you should take the SAT and/or the ACT Plus Writing in the fall of the senior year, preferably in October. Take additional Subject Tests in the fall, as needed. Keep college application deadlines in mind when registering for these tests. In most cases the results from November test dates will be considered for Early Action/Early Decision applications with November or early December deadlines. We recommend taking the SAT or ACT Plus Writing twice, and three times at most. 11

14 Test Preparation The first place to look for test preparation is on the College Board and/or ACT websites, both of which offer comprehensive materials and advice, including tips for taking the tests, sample questions, timed tests and test scoring. This is free and can be accessed anytime. Many other college search websites provide free test preparation as well. The value of test prep courses offered by for-profit companies and tutors depends upon the motivation and receptiveness of the student, learning style, the individual tutor, time available, parent support, and so on. Registration Dates and Deadlines: SAT and SAT Subject Tests: The SAT is administered on seven national test dates, and the Subject Tests are administered on six national test dates: October, November, December, January, March (SAT only), May, and June. Registration deadlines are about six weeks before the test date. You should register online at the College Board website. The ACT is administered on six national test dates. 12

15 IV. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES The choices you make in your activities outside the classroom, the time you spend on those endeavors, and the leadership role you play in extracurricular activities and non-academic interests tell colleges a lot about you. Describing what you love about these interests in your application helps the admission committees discover your potential contributions to their communities and brings an important perspective to understanding the full picture of who you are. It s not about the number of activities you can list on an application grid. Depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six. The impact you have had on a club, in your school, or in the larger community--and the impact that experience has had on you--is of much more importance than a lengthy resume. Learn to choose from among your interests rather than run the risk of burning out on all of them. If you are a student-athlete interested in participating in sports at the varsity level at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and II schools, you should consult your College Advisor early in your junior year in order to ensure adherence with all NCAA rules and regulations. You must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of your junior year. College applications usually ask if you have worked in the summer or during the school year. Many students do work, but not all do, so if you have not yet had a paid job, don t worry. 13

16 V. APPLYING TO COLLEGE Your academic record is the primary criterion for admission to college. Colleges look for your preparation and potential to succeed. They expect you to challenge yourself by taking a strong program throughout high school and to earn good grades. The most important credential that enables a college to evaluate your academic record is your transcript. Remember, however, that the evaluation of your application goes beyond any numerical formula. Colleges want to see your commitment, dedication, and genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons. They want to see the kind of curiosity and enthusiasm that will allow you to spark a lively discussion in the classroom and continue the conversation in your dorm. They want to see the energy and depth of commitment you bring to your endeavors, whether that means in a class, while being part of a community organization, during a performance, or on an athletic field. They want to see the initiative with which you seek out opportunities that expand your perspective and that allow you to grow as a student and as a human being. While the College Advisors assist students and families in compiling their list of potential colleges, it is up to the students and families to decide which colleges best suit the student s personality and academic goals. We recommend that the final list of colleges include approximately nine colleges (3 reach, 3 target, and 3 likely.) Teacher Recommendations Most private colleges require one or two recommendations from teachers who have taught you in the 11th and/or 12th grades in one of the core academic subjects (English, math, foreign language, social studies, or science), though some will accept evaluations from earlier grades and teachers in other disciplines. The teacher recommendation lets your colleges know what you are like in the classroom setting. Your teachers will write about your classroom participation, your writing, your critical thinking skills, your daily preparation, your attitude and how you approach learning, your ability to meet deadlines, your attendance, how your thinking has matured, and how you have developed as a student over time, among many other aspects of your academic life. It is the student s responsibility to know the requirements at each school that he or she is applying to but here are a few simple guidelines: choose those teachers who know the most about your performance in an academic setting, and, if possible, with whom you have a solid relationship, in whose classroom you either excelled or made great progress after initially encountering some difficulty. Make sure to give your recommendation writers plenty of time at least three months before letters are due and ideally even longer to complete and send your recommendations. You should let the teachers know early enough if you are applying under Early Decision or Early Action plans since they need the recommendations earlier. Above all, thank your teachers for taking so much time to support you in your college applications. College Advisor Recommendation Colleges also want to hear from your College Advisor who will write about you in the larger school context, not just in the classroom. The College Advisors at GISB are closely acquainted with the students through meetings during the four years of high school through discussion with teachers and attendance at high school conferences and report card conferences. The College Advisor recommendation is submitted 14

17 along with the Secondary School Report (SSR), your transcript, and GISB School Profile, which provides additional contextual information for interpreting your courses and grades. Essays The college application includes a personal essay where you can distinguish yourself from other equally qualified applicants. Through your own writing, in your own voice, you are able to talk to the admission committee. It is here that you let them know who you are, what you value, how you think, what you think about, what excites or interests you, and what you would bring to their campus. The colleges want to discover who you really are. It is best to begin drafting your college essays in the spring of junior year to become more comfortable writing about yourself and thinking about what matters most to you. When the time comes, sit with your College Advisor to talk more about how to create the personal essay. Read examples of college essays which you can find in books or online to get a feel for the type of writing which is expected of you. College Supplements in addition to the Personal Essay There are two broad types of supplements to a college application. The most common is the writing supplement to the Common Application that a majority of member colleges require. Some colleges accept an institutional or Common Application supplement that supports a specific area of interest or talent, such as athletics or the arts. The writing supplement to the Common Application allows colleges to ask additional questions not covered in the basic application so they can better know you as a candidate. This writing supplement is where admission committees learn the most about you, why you are interested in their particular college, and where you can emerge as a compelling candidate. Supplements often require multiple short answers plus an additional essay(s). It is usually not possible, and certainly is not a good idea, to use responses to supplement questions for one college when completing the supplement for a different college. Supplements require a great deal of thought and time, and if you don t invest in the supplements, the colleges will know. The second type of supplement is the Athletic Supplement and the Arts Supplement. The Athletic Supplement is for students who are looking to play or even are thinking about playing varsity sports at the NCAA Division III level. This form is not intended for Division I and II athletes, who follow an entirely different process. The Arts Supplement is for visual and performing artists who have achieved at a high level and want colleges to review their portfolios or auditions as part of the admission process. Deadlines for College Applications Early Decision (ED I or ED II): Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted, they definitely will enroll. Applications are typically due around November 1 or November 15 for ED I, and December 1 or December 15, or January 1 or January 15 for ED II. Students learn of the college s decision by mid-december, and the student must deposit and enroll if offered admission. Some qualified candidates will be deferred to Regular Decision for consideration in the standard admission cycle, while some may be denied at this time. In both instances, applicants are then free to apply to other colleges. 15

18 Early Action (EA): Students apply early, usually around November 1, and receive a decision usually around the middle of December. Applicants are free to apply to other Early Action colleges as well as Regular Decision and Rolling Admission colleges, whatever the decision, and have until May 1 to respond to an offer of admission. Restrictive Early Action (REA): Students apply to an institution of preference early, usually around November 1, and receive a decision early, usually in mid-december. They are restricted from applying ED or EA or REA to other institutions except for their state schools. If offered admission, they are under no obligation to enroll, and have until May 1 to confirm. Some qualified candidates will be deferred to Regular Decision for consideration in the standard admission cycle, while some may be denied at this time. In both instances, applicants are then free to apply to other colleges. Regular Decision (RD): Students submit an application by a specified date, anywhere from December 15-January 15 typically, and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time, usually on or before April 1. Students have until May 1 to reply to offers of admission. Rolling Admission: Institutions review applications as they are submitted and render admission decisions throughout the admission cycle. Applications close when the class is full, which may be at any time during the admission cycle. National Candidate's Reply Date: Most colleges in the U.S. require admitted students to reply to an offer of admission (whether yes or no) by May 1 and many colleges require a deposit with a commitment to enroll. Students may deposit at only one college, but can remain on another college's waiting list as well. Remember: submitting your deposit late or not at all can mean the loss of your spot at the college of your choice. College Visits A campus visit is the best opportunity to get a first-hand view of a college. To get a good feel for the school, walk around the quad, sit in on a class, and visit the dorms. Campus visits may not be a possibility for every family, but it is very beneficial to visit some of the schools that you are most interested in attending. Some schools track your demonstrated interest so it is important to show the college that you are interested. You can ask the college admission representatives if their college tracks demonstrated interest. Some of the larger schools do not track interest, but many of the small and medium-sized liberal arts do like to see your interest. You can demonstrate your interest by visiting the campus, interviewing, ing the admissions office, and meeting the college representative at a college fair. If you can visit only one time, save your visit until you have been offered admission and then visit in April of your senior year. At the very least, use local resources, even if you aren t considering any of the colleges in the immediate area. You may be surprised by what you learn when you visit and add a local school to your list. You should visit a number of colleges in order to get a feel for location, size, and other broad characteristics in general. You can narrow your focus later. 16

19 Get Answers to Your Questions A visit gives you the chance to talk to students, faculty, and financial aid and admissions professionals. You can get answers to your questions, such as: What is the average class size, and the student to faculty ratio? Are most classes taught by professors or by teaching assistants? Is the faculty accessible to undergraduates? What is the campus meal plan like? How is the food? Is there ample space in dorms or does there seem to be a housing crunch? What is the make-up of the current freshman class? Is the student body fairly diverse? What's the social scene like? How many students commute, and how many live on campus? Pick up any official school material you see, such as brochures and financial aid forms. Don't forget to get business cards, too, so you will have a real, live contact if you have a question about admissions or financial aid and a person to write a thank you note to later. Student-produced material will give you a sense of what campus life is really like. Look around for newspapers and activity calendars. How to Schedule a Visit Many colleges use online registration for campus visits, while some colleges will accept or still prefer phone reservations. Check the website for each college you are considering visiting, and try to go when the college is in session, if at all possible. You can sit in on a class or possibly stay in a dorm overnight. (Colleges rarely allow dorm overnights on weekends, and some colleges don t offer this at all.) You ll get a truer feel for the campus if you re there on a day when classes are in full swing. Many colleges will offer additional sessions in the summer months to accommodate families summer vacations. Don t worry if you can t visit while classes are in session, but do keep in mind that the campuses won t feel as vibrant as when all the students are there, and you may not get a true sense of the place. Try not to let that affect your opinion of the school unfairly. Visiting even when classes aren t in session is better than not visiting at all. Perhaps you can go back at another time, if the college remains on your list and you are offered admission. In some of the larger metropolitan areas you will be able to include two colleges in a day. Include some of the lesser-known colleges in an area that you aren t considering at this time; it s a great means of comparison, and you might be pleasantly surprised! Parents: You will certainly be welcome to accompany your child on the campus tour, and the admissions office may also welcome you at a group information session. Remember that the campus visit is meant to help your son/ daughter get a feel for the college. Your support is important to your child, but it is important that he/she be able to explore the college on his/her own. If you're traveling as a family, you should plan to occupy other family members with alternative activities while your college-bound student explores the campus in depth. (And remember that prospective students should be at the front of the tours, with the tour guides, asking the questions, not the parents.) Research the College Do some research on the college before you arrive on campus, especially if you have an interview scheduled. Some colleges offer informational interviews in lieu of group information sessions; some colleges include the information session in the tour and offer a conversation with an admission officer as an option; some colleges require interviews, which are usually evaluative in nature. Know before you go! 17

20 Review the school's course catalogs, and any other information of interest. Spend some time surfing the college's website to answer your own questions before you go; it doesn t make a good impression when you ask questions that you could have researched for yourself. Talk to currently enrolled students or alumni about the college. Make a list of what college characteristics are most important to you so you know what to look for when you arrive. Is This College Right for You? You may discover, after visiting a college, that some of the qualities you thought were vitally important to you no longer are, and that other aspects of a college begin to gain importance in your search. Listen to your inner voice. Do you feel comfortable walking around campus? Do you click with the students and faculty? Are the dorms where you want to live for four years? Can you change your major, study off-campus, explore the curriculum before declaring a major? Will faculty or grad students teach your classes? Does that matter to you? Are classes taught in a way that supports your learning style? Do you feel at home here? Is this how you pictured college? 18

21 VI. FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS Many families find the financial aid process overwhelming, or assume they will not qualify for need-based financial aid, or do not understand that private colleges often times are less expensive than public universities once financial aid is factored in. If you find yourself in one of these categories, read on! Cautionary Note: If you remember only one thing about financial aid and scholarships, it is this: Never pay any person or organization or website vendor to do a scholarship search for you, or to fill out financial aid forms and applications for you. More often than not, such "services" are scams, despite how "official" their materials might look. There is a wealth of free information and search sites available to you. Financial Aid 101 College costs continue to rise at schools across the nation. Fortunately, financial aid budgets have also grown. There is certainly competition for these funds, and you may wonder whether you will even qualify. The only way to find out is to apply for aid. Mandated by federal law, every college website now has a financial aid calculator (Net Price Calculator) that will project what amount of aid you might expect to receive at that college. Stated simply, financial aid comes in two basic forms: 1) Need-Based Financial Aid and 2) Non-Need Based Financial Aid (or Merit Aid). The former depends on your family's ability to pay; the latter is more frequently tied to academic, athletic, artistic, or some other college-defined achievement or ability. A Federal Methodology developed and approved by the U.S. government determines needbased financial aid. For US citizens and Permanent Residents, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the form you must submit in order to determine the amount your family (parents and student together) can contribute to the cost of college. It reviews your assets, income, and other financial and biographical characteristics, such as age of older parent, number of children in college at the same time. This amount is known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and does not vary, regardless of the costs of different colleges. Many private colleges and universities also require families to submit either the CSS Profile, or a college-generated form, both of which seek additional information about your family's financial situation. The colleges then use their own "Institutional Methodology," in combination with the Federal Methodology, to determine what your revised Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be. To calculate your need, each college or university will take the total cost of attending their school, called the "Student Budget," which includes tuition, room and board, fees, travel, books, and miscellaneous personal fees, and will then subtract your EFC from that budget. The result is your family's "Demonstrated Need" at that specific college. Some colleges will commit to meeting a family's full demonstrated need all four years, whether that need increases (e.g., another student enters college) or decreases (e.g., family wins the lottery). Other colleges will meet as much need as their endowments or financial aid policies allow, leaving families to fill in the remainder through other sources. (This is sometimes called "Gapping.") The financial aid offer is known as an "Award Package," whether that aid comes from 1) the federal government in the form of loans and work ("Self-Help") and/or grants ("Gift Aid"), or 2) the college you are attending, also in the form of work, loans, grants, and scholarships. Grants may be federal or institutional, but are essentially "free money"; you are not expected to pay the money back. College work/study or some form of campus employment is frequently offered as well, as colleges expect students to contribute to the cost of their own education. Loans may be offered to the student and even to the parents, whether subsidized by the federal 19

22 government or not. Some of these loans include the Federal Stafford Loan, the Federal Perkins Loan, and the PLUS Loan. It is always important to review the Student Budget to determine if all anticipated expenses have been included (sometimes they are not, so comparing aid awards can be more difficult), and to see what the balance of Gift Aid to Self Help Aid is. Remember: In applying for financial aid, families work with each college individually, and it is critical that all deadlines are met. You need to check with each school about what is required and when. It is important to remember the following: 1) The FAFSA cannot be submitted until January 1 of the senior year, and generally should be completed no later than February 1 Forms to Complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): An online form from the federal government required of all aid applicants at both public and private colleges and universities; the new FAFSA becomes available online on January 1 of your senior year and must be completed each year for which you are applying for financial aid. Deadline: February 1 of the senior year, in most instances, but check the requirements of each college. CSS Profile: An online financial aid supplemental application found on the College Board website, required by many private colleges and universities, in addition to the FAFSA; usually available online in October of your senior year; there is a fee to submit the CSS Profile; the College Board automatically awards fee waivers based on the information you provide on the form. Deadline: Check the requirements of each college; Early Decision applicants will have to submit this in the fall. SAR: The Student Aid Report sent to you after your EFC has been determined using the information submitted on the FAFSA; this indicates only what Federal Aid you might be eligible for, not what a financial aid award might look like, which will vary college by college. 20